The Medical journal of Australia
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This case report illustrates the threat to life posed by tiger snake venom-induced coagulopathy, the importance of first-aid, precautions with antivenom administration, the dose of antivenom and the necessity to monitor the coagulation status. ⋯ More public education is required in first-aid management of snake envenomation. Frequent monitoring of coagulation status is necessary to optimise antivenom and coagulation factor therapy.
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A seroprevalence survey of markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children aged 0-16 years was conducted in a mixed-race township in western New South Wales. A total of 408 children were screened representing 95% of the total 0-16-year-old population. Of the Aboriginal subjects, 69% had seromarkers which indicated previous infection with HBV and 14% were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositive. ⋯ Although HBsAg was highly endemic in the Aboriginal population, the data indicate that little crossinfection has occurred. We conclude that in this and similar mixed-race communities action should be taken to accelerate vaccination programmes aimed at reducing HBV infection among neonates and children in the high-risk groups. This will provide an immediate overall reduction of potential risk to both high-risk and low-risk groups while the issue of universal vaccination is considered further.
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Surveys of ear disease amongst Aboriginal people in two isolated bush communities (Wiluna and La Grange) and one urban community (Kwinana) in Western Australia were undertaken in 1988 or 1989. The age-adjusted prevalence odds ratio (relative risk) of perforations of the tympanic membrane for Wiluna compared with Kwinana was 5.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.7-12.2) and 6.8 (95% CI 3.5-13.9) for La Grange compared with Kwinana. ⋯ There was no significant difference in the relative risk of moderate or severe hearing loss or impedance pattern B, usually interpreted as "glue ear", in any of the three communities. Overall, the urban Aboriginal community had less ear disease and hearing loss than either of the isolated bush communities, but even this community did not approach the much lower levels of prevalence in Australia as a whole.